About Our Lessons

Thorncroft provides adaptive/therapeutic and traditional riding lessons, along with other equine-assisted services, to equestrians of all abilities. Adaptive and recreational riders lesson side by side, united by the shared goal of becoming skilled, confident riders.

Our curriculum gives equal importance to unmounted horsemanship education and riding instruction. Learning on the ground and building foundational horsemanship skills is an integral and consistent part of our programming. Riders can expect to have lessons alternate between unmounted classes and riding.

(We do not currently offer jumping as part of our lessons and do not offer competitions or travel to horse shows.We do not offer trail rides, one-time rides, or trial lessons.) Lessons are offered Monday-Saturday. Thorncroft is closed on Sunday.

Conditions for Acceptance

Please note the following conditions for acceptance and continuation. To be considered for evaluation participants: must have the ability to assume a sitting posture, tolerate movement, wear an ASTM/SEI riding helmet, and be over the age of 5. Participants must also have sufficient tolerance and attention span to benefit from 20 minutes of sustained activity. Thorncroft strives for inclusion of all body sizes, and while our herd is currently conformationally able to accommodate a rider weight of 180 lbs or less for riding lessons, everyone is invited to become a part of the Farm family. There are no height/ weight restrictions for participation in unmounted ground lessons.

About our Wait List

Thorncroft’s wait list is dynamic, meaning that there are a variety of factors that need to align for a successful placement, including, but not limited to, horse, instructor, and volunteer availability.  A spot in our program opens only when a current rider decides to end their lessons, and all factors align for a successful placement. Placement for riding lessons on a weekday afternoon after 3:00 p.m., as well as on Saturdays, has an approximate wait list time of up to three years.

Pricing
Thorncroft offers a monthly rate of $250.00 for both adaptive and traditional riding lessons. The $250.00 covers one lesson a week. Because our lesson fees are far less than our operating expense per lesson and due to the number of riders we teach, we do not offer credits or make-ups for missed lessons due to illness or otherwise, or offer any discount for missed lessons. The minimum commitment is one-month for lessons. We do not accept insurance or waiver funding.

Adaptive Riding Lessons

Adaptive riding lessons are available to individuals ages five and older. Thorncroft provides adaptive riding lessons that may promote physical, emotional, and social well-being through horsemanship. While our programs are designed to be inclusive and supportive, Thorncroft does not provide therapy or clinical treatment services, and participation should not be considered a substitute for therapy of medical care. Lessons are not covered by insurance or waiver funding.

The term adaptive relates to how an instructor may support the rider, including the use adaptive riding equipment, modality of learning (verbal, kinesthetic, etc.)  the lesson environment, horse, and other components.

Learn more about adaptive riding here.

Traditional Riding Lessons
Traditional riding lessons are available to individuals ages five and older. Our traditional lessons are primarily walk, trot, with some canter, and are the best fit for the beginner to intermediate rider. We do not offer jumping, leasing, ownership, or showing opportunities as part of our lessons. Adaptive and recreational riders lesson together at Thorncroft with the common goal of becoming a skilled horseback rider.

Therapy
If you are seeking psychotherapy that includes horses for the treatment of mental health, or seeking physical, occupational, or speech therapy that incorporates the movement of the horse, please visit PATH International for a list of these organizations in Pennsylvania. Thorncroft does not provide therapy services.